Why Outer Banks actually killed off that character at the end of Season 4

NOTICE! This article contains major SPOILERS for Outer Banks, season 4, part 2!Although JJ’s death in External BanksThe end of season 4 was a huge shock for the audience, the plans for his fate had already been drawn up long before. As the years passed, it seemed that External BanksThe main characters, the Pogues, had enough plot armor and “luck” to keep them immune to death. Sarah has nearly died in every season, with John B, Kiara, and Pope also surviving numerous lethal situations on their treasure hunts in the first four seasons. However, External Banks finally took a chance and killed JJ Maybank (Rudy Pankow), the Pogue-est of all Pogues, in season 4.

A fan-favorite character, John B’s best friend, the wild card, and eventually Kiara’s boyfriend, little could have prepared audiences for JJ being the Pogues’ first kill, especially after External Banks revealed JJ’s true identity and story just a few episodes earlier. This isn’t the first family death the group has experienced, with John B’s father Big John and Sarah’s father Ward Cameron dying in season three, but it’s the first of its kind for the teens themselves. JJ’s death will change the Pogues forever, and that’s exactly why his fate was planned before External Banks season 4.

JJ’s Outer Banks Season 4 Finale Explained: Who Kills Him and Why

JJ is betrayed by his biological father in Morocco

At the end of External Banks In Season 4, the Pogues and the Lupine Corsairs are fighting to claim the Blue Crown in Morocco, which JJ successfully takes from a statue. However, after obtaining the crown, JJ finds his father, Chandler Groff, holding a knife to Kie’s neck. JJ trades the Blue Crown to save Kiara and tells Groff that he will never have the treasures of love, friendship or happiness in his life – which he considers far more valuable than the crown.

Groff then stabs JJ in the stomach and escapes with the crownleaving Kie to comfort a dying JJ while calling for his friends. JJ’s death in External BanksThe season 4 finale is completely nonsensical; Groff already had the Blue Crown and no one followed him, so he had absolutely no reason to kill his son. As Groff stabs JJ, he tells him, “You should have given me the rope,” referring to how JJ left Groff at a well in Morocco, giving him water but refusing to send the rope to help him.

Groff murdering JJ is simply an act of anger, pride and malevolencehighlighting how truly vile the character is and that he lacks any redeeming qualities. Killing JJ could be his way of leaving no trace with the Blue Crown and giving him a better opportunity to fight for Wes Genrette’s inheritance, which was rightfully JJ’s. Furthermore, Groff killing JJ frees him from any “weakness” or potential guilt he might have had for feeling responsible for him as his father. Without JJ, Groff has nothing to stop him or stop him from pursuing his selfish and greedy desires.

JJ’s death was “always” in the plan of the creators of the Outer Banks show

The creators always knew JJ would die at some point

As sudden as it may seem, External Banks Season four killing off JJ wasn’t a new twist created simply for the shock factor. According to Netflix Tudum, External Banks co-creators Jonas Pate, Josh Pate and Shannon Burke had “I always planned that JJ would end up dying in the series.” While it doesn’t always seem like they always pinpointed when exactly this death would occur in the story, JJ’s death was always a crucial part of the Pogues saga – it was just a matter of when executing that moment would be most effective.

Rudy Pankow also told Netflix Tudum that he understood why the character had to die, as the stakes continued to rise exponentially and JJ would never stop taking the biggest risks possible to protect his friends. External Banks Season 4 felt like the right time to implement this twist, as the season was largely a love letter to JJ and a beautiful, tragic exploration of his life. From the devastating discovery that his real mother was Larissa Genrette, to risking his life to save Sarah and the baby in the storm, JJ was External Banks heart and soul of season 4.

Even in his final moments, JJ gives up the power and glory of the fictional Blue Crown to save Kiara. He even admits that he doesn’t need the crown; he already has everything he could ever want in his life with the Pogues and his love story with Kiara. JJ’s loyalty, spirit, and selflessness ultimately contributed to his downfall, but those are still the same attributes the Pogues will have to honor and replicate for the rest of their lives as they celebrate JJ’s legacy and influence.

JJ’s death raises the stakes and sets up the redemption story in Outer Banks Season 5

The Pogues are on a mission to get revenge in Season 5 of Outer Banks

As devastating as it is to see JJ go, his death came at the right time in External Banks. By killing JJ at the end of season 4, External Banks season 5 already has the highest possible stakes. The Pogues’ luck has finally run out and they know they are not immortal in these adventures after losing the hearts of their group. JJ’s death is not only revealing of the high stakes of his adventures, but also sets the Pogues on the path of seeking revenge for his death in Season 5.

They will not only seek the Blue Crown for its riches and powers, but also to get revenge on Chandler Groff for killing JJ. This time, the Pogues aren’t just outlaw treasure hunters, they’re trying to bring their best friend’s killer to justice. while making him pay for all the other lives he took throughout and before External Banks season 4. Everything they do on their treasure hunt in External Banks Season 5 will live long in JJ’s memory, which creates a very different motivation and mindset for the Pogues compared to their previous exploits.

Additionally, JJ’s death is important to the redemption arcs that External Banks was configured for multiple characters. Rafe Cameron now travels with the Pogues to face the same enemy, and even suggests that the teenagers’ first priority is to go after the guy who killed their best friend. Fighting for the Pogues after JJ’s death lays the groundwork for a full redemption arc for Rafe, and also sets up some heroic turns from Shoupe, who always had hope for JJ to have a better life, and Luke, who loved JJ despite being a poor adoptive father.

Could Rudy Pankow still return as JJ in Outer Banks Season 5?

JJ may return through visions and flashbacks

Just because JJ is dead in External Banks Season 5 doesn’t mean he can’t return for the final batch of episodes. Since External Banks season 5 will be the last, it’s likely that the Netflix drama will pay homage to characters who have fallen in one way or another, potentially through flashback views featuring figures like JJ, Big John and Ward. Additionally, Pankow could potentially reprise his role through visions or hallucinations of the Poguesmaking him spread his wisdom to his friends from beyond the grave.

Rumor has it that the Blue Crown also has the power to grant its user a wish, so it’s possible the Pogues will consider using that wish to reverse JJ’s death. It doesn’t seem likely that they’ll actually get through it, but External Banks could implement a dream sequence where the characters imagine what life would be like if JJ had never diedoffering a brief way to bring Rudy Pankow back. Regardless of whether Pankow physically reprises his role, JJ’s spirit will continue to live on through the Pogues in External Banks season 5.

Source: Netflix Tudum